Following a resolution at Full Council on 30 March 2022, Northumberland County Council formally adopted the Northumberland Local Plan 2016 to 2036 on 31 March 2022. This is in accordance with Section 23 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 and Regulation 26 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012. Attached to this email is the Northumberland Local Plan 2016 to 2036 Adoption Statement.
 

The adoption follows the receipt of the Inspectors’ Report on the Examination of the Northumberland Local Plan. The Report concludes that the Northumberland Local Plan is ‘sound’ providing that a number of modifications are made to it. The adopted version of the Plan includes all the modifications recommended by the Inspectors.     
 

In due course, each Parish or Town Council will be sent a copy of the final adopted version of Northumberland Local Plan document, together with a copy of the accompanying Policies Map. 
 

The adopted Local Plan can be viewed together with supporting documents on the Council’s website at www.northumberland.gov.uk/localplan. The documents comprise:

• Northumberland Local Plan 2016 to 2036 (March 2022)
• Northumberland Local Plan 2016 to 2036 Policies Map (March 2022)
• Sustainability Appraisal Report (May 2019) and Appendices
• Sustainability Appraisal – Addendum (June 2020)
• Sustainability Appraisal – Addendum Appraisal of Proposed Main Modifications (May 2021)
• Sustainability Appraisal – Post Adoption Statement (March 2022)
• Northumberland Local Plan 2016 to 2036 Adoption Statement
   

Paper copies of the Local Plan and the above supporting documents are also available for inspection at Northumberland County Council, County Hall, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE61 2EF during office hours on an appointment basis. To make an appointment, please call 01670 620000.

The Northumberland Local Plan replaces the Development Plan Documents prepared by the former Districts, Boroughs and County Councils prior to Local Government Review in 2009. Following adoption, the Development Plan for Northumberland now comprises of the Northumberland Local Plan (March 2022) and the ‘made’ Neighbourhood Plans which cover different parts of the County. The development plan forms the basis of decision making on planning applications across the County.

If you have any queries regarding the above please do not hesitate to contact a member of my Planning Policy Team at PlanningStrategy@northumberland.gov.uk or by telephoning the local rate number, 0345 600 6400, and asking for Planning Policy.